Balloon replacing apparatus for an amusement system



Oct. 15, 1968 F. MARTELL ET AL 3,405,941

BALLOON REPLACING APPARATUS FOR AN AMUSEMENT SYSTEM Filed Nov. 25, 1966INVENTORS AIR/WATER CONTROL SYSTEM I cARL LEl l g s lt A I Y m rwrw Fig.1 v ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,405,941 BALLOON REPLACING APPARATUSFOR AN AMUSEMENT SYSTEM Fred Martel], Wanamassa, and Carl Letferson,Oakhurst, N.J., assignors to International Exhibits, Inc.Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 520,962, Jan. 17, 1966. Thisapplication Nov. 25, 1966, Ser. N 0. 596,835

6 Claims. (Cl. 273-101) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A water gun systemfor a plurality of players including a target and an inflatable balloon,each associated with a different player. Each of the balloons is mountedon an associated pipe and a balloon changing mechanism is used in therapid replacement of a balloon that has been broken.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 520,962, filedJan. 17, 1966, now Patent No. 3,336,030.

In amusement systems of the type in which many people participate, theplayers pit their skill one against another. Ordinarily, some goal isaccomplished by the winner and the obtaining of the goal should beexciting to the participants as well as those watching the game. Thisexcitement should build up until, at a dramatic close, one of theplayers Wins. Balloon games achieve this excitement in which each of theplayers inflates an individual balloon attempting to break his balloonfirst. Each of the players has a gun, as for example a water gun, and heaims his gun toward an associated target. When the target is struck theballoon associated with that player is inflated.

More particularly, a target and an inflatable balloon are associatedwith each player. Fluid pressure means is connected by an individualfluid connection to each of the balloons and controlled by a valve forproviding fluid pressure to inflate each of the balloons. A water gun isprovided for each of the players with each gun being adapted to beequally spaced from the associated target. A source of water underpressure is supplied to each water gun so that each player controls astream of water which he directs at his associated target. When a waterstream strikes a target, a switch is actuated which opens the associatedvalve to allow fluid pressure to inflate the balloon. In this manner,each of the balloons is inflated with each player trying to explode hisballoon first.

After one of the balloons has exploded, the game is terminated and fluidpressure is released from each of the balloons. However, before a newgame may be started, the exploded balloon must be replaced by anattendant. It has been found that such balloon replacement has beenrelatively time consuming. It is very important that this balloon bereplaced as rapidly as possible so that another game may immediatelybegin.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is an amusement systemin which balloons are adapted to be inflated each by a different playerand in which the balloons may rapidly be replaced at the end of eachgame.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a water gunsystem for a plurality of players having a target and a balloon assemblyfor each player. Each player has a water gun and directs a stream ofwater at his target. Each balloon assembly includes (1) a fluidconnection leading to a compressed air outlet for receiving the mouth ofa balloon and (2) a funnel having a hollow conical shaped portion toprovide a shoulder support for the balloon as it is inflated and a tubeopening to slidably engage the fluid connection. The funnel is springbiased in the direction of the outlet to provide a snug fit over theballoon mouth. Latch means is provided to hold the funnel clear of theoutlet when the funnel is manually pulled 3,405,941 Patented Oct. 15,1968 against the spring bias to allow the balloon to be replaced and forthereafter releasing the funnel.

For a more detailed disclosure of the invention and for other objectsand advantages thereof, reference is to be had to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a water gun system;

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate in more detail differing side views of the balloonassembly and changing apparatus of FIG. 1 embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the balloon assembly of FIG. 2 taken along lines55; and

FIG. 6 illustrates in detail and cutaway the funnel shaped balloonholder of FIG. 3 taken along lines 66.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an amusement system having anair control and a water control system 50 to provide air under pressureto balloons 25 mounted on an assembly 10 and water under pressure by wayof conduits 42 to water guns 40. While only a single water gun 40 and asingle balloon 25 have been illustrated in FIG. 1, it will be understoodthat a plurality of such assemblies are provided as shown and describedin more detail in Patent No. 3,336,030.

Each player aims his water gun 40 to direct a stream of water 60 at atongue in a water intake opening of an associated clown head 30. Theclown heads 30 are rotated from side to side to make it more difiicultfor the water stream 60 to be directed into the water intake openmgs.

When the water stream 60 strikes a tongue within the intake opening ofclown head 30, a switch is actuated to energize the air control system50 to inflate balloon 25 mounted on a balloon assembly 10. At the end ofa game, after one of the players has burst his balloon, the at tendantactuates system 50 to remove air under pressure from each of the balloonassemblies 10. At this time, the broken balloon must be replaced, whichis readily accomplished by the attendant by Way of a balloon changingmechanism for assembly 10 shown in more detail in FIGS. 2-4.

In FIGS. 24, a balloon assembly 10 comprises a hollow vertical feed pipeor fluid connection 11 having a lower threaded portion 11a and an upperthreaded portion 11b. The lower threaded portion 11a is adapted to bethreadedly coupled to the control system 50 to receiveair underpressure. The upper threaded portion 12b threadedly engages the innerthreads of a ferrule or sleeve 12 with the sleeve forming the upper endof pipe 11. The outer cylindrical surface 12b of sleeve 12 is smoothwith the lower surface being formed into a lip 12a. The mouth of theballoon 25 is manually fitted over sleeve 12 forming a fluid connectionoutlet.

More particularly, the outermost end of the balloon mouth forms a lipwhich may preferably be brought below lip 12a or the balloon lip may bebrought just above lip 12a as illustrated.

It will be understood that as balloon 25 is inflated by compressed airflowing through pipe 11, the balloon would normally tend to free itselffrom sleeve 12. Specifically, as the balloon inflates, the mouth of theballoon tends to expand until the balloon would fly from the tube.However, a funnel shaped retainer cup 20 prevents this action andsecures balloon 25 in place.

As shown in FIG. 6, funnel 20 slidably engages pipe 11 with the lowertube portion of the funnel having an inner cylindrically shaped opening20a slightly larger in diameter than the outer diameter of pipe 11.Opening 20a has a diameter less than that of the diameter of lip 12a 'offerrule 12 and thus, the funnel is stopped and presection of funnel 20,approximately midway between the two ends thereof. The center sectionopening is cylindrically shaped and axial with the lower opening 20a butof larger diameter thereby to receive ferrule 12. Accordingly, funnel 20provides an inner annular surface toengage the lower surface of lip 12a.Thus, the balloon 25 may be placed below lip 12a so that the lip of theballoon is engaged between the lower surface of lip 12a and funnel 20.

The conical shaped inner surface 20b of funnel 20 provides a shoulderfor the sides of balloon 25 adjacent the mouth of the balloon. In thismanner, the balloon is supported in an upright position as it isinflated and is prevented from falling on its side. Without the supportof the funnel, the balloon would tend to fall to one side in itsexpanded state and would be in the way of water stream 60.

Cup 20 is normally spring biased in an upward direction to engage sleeve12 by a cylindrically wound spring 14 having an outer diameter less thanthat of the outer diameter of the lower section of funnel 20. The upperend of the spring 14 engages the lower end of funnel 20 and the lowerend of spring 14 is secured in place by a U-shaped clamp 15 illustratedin FIG. 5. Clamp 15 is secured to pipe 11 by way of a resilient grippingring 16 disposed between the inner surface of clamp 15 and the outersurface of pipe 11.

To rigidly secure clamp 15 there is provided bolt 17 received withinopenings in tabs 15a of the clamp. Bolt 17 carries a spacer 18 and isreceived within an opening at one end of a pivoted catch bar 22 disposedbetween the bolth'ead and the spacer. Bolt 17 is secured in place by anut 19 which is tightened sufiiciently to allow restrained movement ofbar 22. Bar 22 intermediate its length has a double bent portion 22awhich provides an offset so that the upper portion of bar 22 isdisplaced away from pipe 11 approximately to the outer diameter of thelower cylindrical portion of funnel 20.

A hook or catch 22b is formed at the end of catch bar 22 remote fromclamp 15 to removably engage a pin or latching member 21 extending fromthe lower portion of funnel 20. More particularly, pin 21 extendshorizontally from the outer periphery of funnel 20 and as shown in FIG.2, the pin is grasped or latched by hook 22b of bar 22. In this latchedposition, funnel 20 is clear of sleeve 12 and held in position so thatthe balloon 25 may quickly and easily be replaced on sleeve 12 by theattendant. With funnel 20 held clear, the attendant may use both handsin replacing the balloon. In the normal unlatched condition shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, funnel 20 is spring biased to secure balloon 25 in place.

In operation, bar 22 is preferably maintained by bolt 17 in both thelatched and unlatched condition in a position at a slight angle with thevertical as illustrated in FIG. 2. Specifically, after a balloon breaksand the game is over, the attendant with one hand by a simple handmovement pulls down funnel 20 on pipe 11. With. a slight twisting motionto the left, pin 21 is latched in hook 221) of bar 22. The attendantthen can use both hands to replace the broken balloon after which heunlatches or releases funnel 20 by a slight downward and slight twistingmotion of funnel 20 to the right. Thus, in accordance with theinvention, by a simple downward and twisting motion of funnel 20, thefunnel is latched and the attendant may rapidly replace the balloonwithout being concerned with funnel 20. Then with a slight down andtwisting motion of the funnel, it is unlatched and a new game may begin.

With the above understanding of the invention, it will be seen that manymodifications may be made. For example, bar 22 instead of being at aslight angle to the vertical may be secured so that it is substantiallyvertical. The top edge of bar 22 may be slightly bent away from pipe 11so that funnel 20 may be manually pulled vertically in a downwarddirection with pin 21 bearing against that bent portion. In this manner,bar 22 is pushed away from pipe 11 until pin 21 is received withinhook'22b. The funnel may be released in the manner described above or bypulling the end of bar 22 away from pin 21 thus releasing the funnel.

The principles of the invention having now been explained together withmodifications thereof, it is to be understood that many moremodifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A water gun system for a plurality of players comprising target meansand a balloon assembly for each player,

each balloon assembly including a fluid connection leading to an outletfor receiving the mouth of a balloon,

fluid pressure means connected to each of said target means and balloonassemblies for providing fluid pressure to inflate said balloons,

a water gun for each of said players for supplying under a playerscontrol a stream of water to be directed at the associated target meansand for actuating said fluid pressure means to inflate the associatedballoon only when said water stream strikes said target means,

each of said balloon assemblies comprising funnel means having an hollowconical shaped portion to provide a shoulder support for said balloon asit is inflated and a hollow tube opening to slidably engage said fluidconnection,

means to spring bias said funnel means in the direction of saidconnection outlet to provide a snug fit over the mouth of said balloonengaging said outlet, and

means for latching said funnel means when said funnel means is manuallypulled against said spring bias in a direction away from said outlet toallow said balloon to be replaced on said outlet and for thereafterreleasing said funnel means.

2. The water gun system of claim 1 in which said fluid connectioncomprises a pipe having a lip formed adjacent the outlet thereof forreceiving said balloon mouth and said funnel tube opening having asmaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of said lip to provide astop for said funnel means.

3. The water gun system of claim 2 in which said funnel means has ahollow opening axial with said tube opening and between said conicalshaped portion and said tube opening for receiving said outlet lip.

4. The water gun system of claim 3 in which said hollow opening iscylindrically shaped and provides an inner annular surface to engage thelower surface of said outlet lip so that the lip of said balloon isengaged between the two surfaces.

5. The water gun system of claim 1 in which said funnel means includes alatching member and in which said latching means comprises a catchmember having one end rigidly secured and the other end shaped toselectively engage and release said latching member.

6. The water gun system of claim 5 in which said catch member comprisesa bar having one end secured to said fluid connection and the other endhook shaped to catch said latching member to clear said outlet lip whensaid funnel means is pulled in a direction away from said outlet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,437,261 11/1922 Nagle 273861,720,707 7/1929 Woodard 27386 3,342,492 9/1967 Barrett 273101 X3,362,713 1/1968 Miller 273-101 X FOREIGN PATENTS 40,300 1929 Denmark.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. P. E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner.

